Culture

Finger-lickin’ food and the civilising mission

When the newly elected New York mayor Zohran Mamdani was recently mocked for eating with his hands, it exposed the enduring afterlife of colonial hierarchies.

The Eggplant Tempura

In modern India, the brinjal still divides opinion – loved and disliked alike – centuries after Akbar-Birbal, its many names evoke diverse emotions and cultural associations nationwide.

‘Illegal migration’ and the weaponisation of indigeneity

Assam’s decision to arm select communities echoes past vigilante experiments outlawed by India’s Supreme Court and risks deepening divisions in an already fractured society

The dark side of India’s research publications boom

The ‘publish or perish’ culture has bred unhealthy practices that threaten the very integrity of Indian academia.

India must follow Australia on social media restrictions for teenagers

Stronger social media regulation for Indian children would protect them from harm in a largely unchecked medium

Why Indian laws for TV won’t work for streaming services

Laws to regulate content on streaming services can only be effective if they cater to diverse audiences and content offerings.